Beware of deceiving spirits1The Spirit has clearly revealed that in due course some will abandon their faith in Christ and will follow deceiving spirits, believing demonic teaching that opposes the truth.2People who give such teaching are hypocritical liars whose consciences no longer respond to the truth.3They appear to be religious by forbidding people to marry and by ordering them to refuse to eat certain foods, which God intended us to enjoy with thankful hearts, because we believe the liberating power of the truth.4-5For everything God created is good and so does not need to be rejected. By giving thanks to God for His provision, whatever we eat becomes consecrated through faith in God's Word and by prayer.6You will be Christ Jesus' faithful minister if you teach these things to the believers. This will demonstrate that you have been brought up to believe the truth and have followed the teaching of God's Word.7So refuse to have anything to do with whatever disagrees with His Word or with any old wives tales. Instead, you are to train yourself to be godly.Godly character8Physical exercise is of some value, but a godly character influences everything you do, and has great value in the present life and in the life that is to come.9-10Here is another truth that you can depend upon and is true for every believer: That we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, but especially of those who believe in Him.11Teach these things with authority.12Do not allow anyone to put you down because you are so young. Set the other believers an example by the way you speak and live, in your love for people, your faith in God and the purity of your heart.13Continue to be faithful in reading the scriptures publicly and in preaching and teaching the Word of truth until I arrive.14Use fully the gift that was imparted to you when the whole body of elders laid their hands on you and prophesied over you.15Be wholehearted in doing all these things so that everyone will see how you have progressed spiritually.16Keep a close watch on the way you live and on what you teach. If you persevere in the truth, God will save both you and those who listen to you.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)